By Reyan Ali May 31, 2012

For a band touting such a heady approach to indie rock, it's surprising Maps & Atlases began with no real plan in mind. Meeting in 2004 at Columbia College Chicago, the quartet started jamming because, in the words of guitarist/vocalist Dave Davison, "it just seemed like something fun to do that would be positive and interesting." Amazingly, given their nimble rhythms and sophisticated guitar work, none of Maps & Atlases' members was a music major, although each did spend countless hours investigating avant-rock icons, finding intellectual solace in artists and songs that eschewed conventional narrative in favor of meandering, instrumental journeys. (Both Davison and guitarist Erin Elders count... More >>>